Director Student Services Claire Gallop (left) and Pacific Islands Centre Manager Tagiilima Feleti at the Pacific Islands Centre pātaka kai.
Otago’s Student Services team has stepped up to make a dent in food insecurity, launching three pātaka kai (food pantries) for the University’s tauira on the Dunedin campus.
Student Services Director Claire Gallop says there has been a noticeable increase in food insecurity amongst tauira.
“One of the things that often can slip when you've got to pay your rent and power bills is actually feeding yourself.
“Unfortunately, many students are struggling in terms of needing to work longer hours to be at university to make things work.”
While Student Services works closely with the OUSA Student Support in providing tauira emergency food bags, the University wanted to expand that support for students who may not be aware of that service, Claire says.
Three pātaka kai were launched on Monday, 10 March at Te Huka Mātauraka Māori Centre, the Pacific Islands Centre, and Recreation Services Unipol. A fourth location is planned at Te Pou Whirinaki - Student Wellbeing Hub at the Information Services Building, once the Hub opens.
Marketing and Wellbeing Co-ordinator Chris MacDonell (left) and Recreations Operations Coordinator Laura Freeman at the Unipol pātaka kai.
The pātaka kai are open to all Otago students, Claire says.
“The aim is to make the support easily available in a way that that there's no embarrassment or shame associated with it.
“We know that students frequent these locations, and the food is there for them to take as needed.”
The focus of the pātaka kai is currently food items, but the Student Services team is open to feedback from tauira on what they would like to see offered, Claire says.
“This is very much a work in progress. These first few weeks are a kind of wait and see situation, to understand what the level of need is going to be, what food items are popular.
“This initiative is going to be based on the need and response from students, so we are interested in hearing from them.”
Financial support for the first tranche of food supplies was thanks to a grant, Claire says.
“The Student Services team applied to the Vice-Chancellor for a Pūtea Tautoko Student Relief Fund grant to support the launch of the pātaka kai.”
The team is currently working on a model to support the ongoing supply of the pātaka kai, exploring ideas from funding to community support, she says.
“We’re taking the lead on ensuring that this initiative has longevity and consistency, so students have continued access to support they can readily access.”
Claire is thankful to her team for all the work done behind the scenes in making the pātaka kai a reality, she says.
“It is really special to see people running with this idea. It speaks to the awesome nature of our kaimahi, who really care about student wellbeing and welfare.”
Te Rōpū Māori Āpihā Mātauranga Sami Harrison (left) with Te Huka Mātauraka (Māori Centre) College Programme Coordinator Krystle van der Salm at the Te Huka Mātauraka pātaka kai.
Pacific Islands Centre Manager Tagiilima Feleti says the pātaka kai are more than just a food resource.
“It’s a symbol of care and community.
“It helps ensure our students have access to nourishing food, allowing them to focus on their studies and overall wellbeing.
“By reducing barriers like food insecurity, we’re creating a space where our students can succeed and thrive during their time at Otago.”
Te Huka Mātauraka College Programme Coordinator Krystle van der Salm (Ngati Pukenga, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui) says the feedback from students has been fantastic.
“Many students have expressed their gratitude for the easy access to food supplies and the feeling of whānau it brings to our campus.”
Having the pātaka kai at Te Huka Mātauraka has been a real blessing, she says.
“It's given students a dependable source of food, creating a strong sense of community and support.
“As the whakataukī goes, 'Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi' – with your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive’.
“This initiative truly captures that spirit of collective care and wellbeing.”
Visit the pātaka kai
If things are a bit tight and you’re looking for some support with kai, visit any of the pātaka kai locations below. The pātaka kai are open to all Otago students.
Te Huka Mātauraka Māori Centre: Open Monday – Friday 8:30am-4pm. Collection days Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The Pacific Islands Centre: Open Monday – Friday 9:30am-2pm. Collection days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am.
Recreation Services Unipol: Open Monday – Friday 9am- 8pm.
Keen on sharing feedback? Head on over to Te Huka Mātauraka Māori Centre or the Pacific Islands Centre and submit feedback via the QR code or suggestion box.